Grand Africa Initiative gathers momentum in Zimbabwe

By Amanda Jojo

PAN-African Non-Governmental Organisation, Grand Africa Initiative (GAIN) is on a move to accelerate youth empowerment in Zimbabwe by providing a platform for sustainable youth development since they are catalysts for a safer, competitive and empowered nation.

The organisation which is a brain child of a Nigerian called Chinwe Okoli recently launched its Zimbabwean chapter and has also reached several African countries.

In an interview with The Entrepreneurial Magazine, GAIN Country Representative who is also the founder of Youth Vibes Afrika Ruvarashe Miti said the organisation is set to train, mentor and empower African youth with digital, leadership, employability and entrepreneurial skills for self-sustenance and professional growth.

“It is also trying to reduce unemployment, poverty illegal migration which is causing brain drain in Africa and crime within people thus safer sources and improving the economies of Africa and we had to launch ours in Zimbabwe against this background,” Miti said.

GAIN Zimbabwe is on a drive to advocate as well as promoting the mindset of value reorientation and awareness of creation among young people so that they have enough education thus, putting their enhanced skills into practice.

“As young people we shouldn’t wait for the opportunities to come knocking to us but rather be assertive, identify and seizing opportunities so that we can curb all the other challenges that we are facing,” Miti said.

She highlighted some of the challenges that the youth of today are encountering which include; lack of intergenerational exchange of information and financial constraints which act as a hindrance to youth who want to venture in investment projects.

“The seniors have no time to explain what it takes for one to be involved in a well-financed or running a business which is a challenge in Zimbabwe.

“In as much we have the youth-orientated EmpowerBank, bank loans are not always accessible to everyone, remember there are young people who are not able to write and speak English as such only the elite are able to apply for these loans,” Miti said.

She also noted that youth seeking monetary assistance are deterred by the bureaucratic processes associated with EmpowerBank and related financial institutions.

The organisation is working with Catholic University Vice Chancellor Ranga Zinyemba who is the member of the GAIN board.

 “Mr Zinyemba emphasized on entrepreneurial projects in terms of young people creating micro-economies in different sectors be it ICTs, agriculture and corporate sector.

“We have seen so many young people from the university engaging with the corporate sector to create sustainable solutions for themselves,” Miti added. The vision of GAIN is to partner with national and international stakeholders so as to promote strategic collaboration that will address issues pertaining youth development and empowerment.